Memoir of War 2018
Directed by
Emmanuel Finkiel
Made by
Music Box Films
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Memoir of War (2018). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
As the Allied armies draw near to Paris during the summer of 1944, a writer and member of the resistance, Robert Antelme, is arrested by the occupying Germans. His wife, Marguerite Duras, who is also a writer entrenched in the same resistance network, is left in turmoil. In her distress, she encounters a French collaborator working for the Gestapo, who slyly offers a potential link to her husband’s fate. In a trade for information, he reveals a desire to know about the prominent resister François Morland while hinting at a personal interest in Marguerite herself.
Despite her initial reservations, Marguerite consults Dionys Mascolo, the leader of their resistance network and her lover, and ultimately decides to engage with the collaborator. Their encounters become routine, as he showers her with scarce provisions and fine wine, yet Marguerite remains steadfast, revealing neither information nor engaging in illicit activity. However, he does manage to disclose that Robert has been sent to a concentration camp in Germany.
Once Paris is liberated and the Gestapo dissolved, the focus for the resisters shifts to uncovering the fates of their arrested colleagues and assisting their families. As the Allied forces commence liberating the concentration camps in the spring of 1945, hard-won intel begins to surface about who has survived and who has not. Marguerite endures an exhausting wait, fraught with an emotional tug-of-war between hope and despair, until she learns of Robert’s grim status in Dachau, where he is gravely ill.
With the aid of Dionys and Morland, arrangements are made to retrieve Robert and bring him back to Paris. Once he regains some strength and is ready to travel, Marguerite decides to take him on a holiday to Italy. However, upon returning, she makes the heart-wrenching decision to divorce him.
Timeline
Track the key events of Memoir of War (2018) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Robert's Arrest
In the summer of 1944, as Allied armies advance towards Paris, Robert Antelme is arrested by the German occupying forces. This event shatters his wife Marguerite's life, leaving her distressed and desperate for answers about her husband's whereabouts.
Marguerite's Encounter
In her turmoil, Marguerite meets a French collaborator working for the Gestapo. He slyly offers a potential link to Robert's fate in exchange for information about a prominent resister, François Morland, revealing his own interest in Marguerite.
Consulting Dionys
Faced with the collaborator's proposition, Marguerite seeks counsel from Dionys Mascolo, the leader of the resistance network and her lover. Together they weigh the risks, and Marguerite ultimately decides to engage with the collaborator despite her reservations.
Routine Encounters
Marguerite begins a series of routine encounters with the collaborator, who brings her scarce provisions and fine wine. Throughout these meetings, she maintains her resolve by refusing to divulge any information or partake in any illicit activities.
News of Robert's Fate
During one of their discussions, the collaborator reveals that Robert has been sent to a concentration camp in Germany. This disclosure deepens Marguerite's anguish, adding to the heavy weight of uncertainty about her husband's safety.
Liberation of Paris
With the liberation of Paris and the dissolution of the Gestapo, the resistance's focus shifts to uncovering the fates of their arrested colleagues. Marguerite joins the efforts to assist the families of the imprisoned, all while holding onto hope.
Allied Forces Liberate Camps
In the spring of 1945, Allied forces begin liberating the concentration camps. As information surfaces about who has survived, the atmosphere is thick with anticipation and dread as Marguerite awaits news of Robert.
Learning of Robert's Condition
After an exhausting wait filled with emotional turmoil, Marguerite learns that Robert is gravely ill in Dachau. The uncertainty is overwhelming, as she grapples with the realization that his life hangs by a thread.
Arranging Robert's Retrieval
With help from Dionys and François Morland, Marguerite makes arrangements to retrieve Robert from the concentration camp. Their collaborative effort highlights the bond of resistance and the lengths they will go to save each other.
Holiday in Italy
Once Robert regains enough strength, Marguerite decides to take him on a holiday to Italy. It's a well-deserved respite that allows them to reconnect, but the shadow of their experiences looms over their time together.
The Heart-Wrenching Decision
Upon returning to Paris, Marguerite makes the heart-wrenching decision to divorce Robert. This choice signifies the profound changes they have both undergone as a result of their experiences during the war.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Memoir of War (2018) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Robert Antelme (Emmanuel Bourdieu)
Robert is a writer and a dedicated member of the resistance who is imprisoned by the Germans. His arrest sends his wife, Marguerite, into turmoil as she navigates the brutal realities of war. His character embodies the ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs, serving as a reminder of the human cost of conflict.
Marguerite Duras (Mélanie Thierry)
Marguerite is a fierce, resilient figure within the resistance who confronts her husband’s perilous situation with unwavering strength. Her complex emotions and ethical dilemmas highlight the struggles faced by women in wartime. She represents both vulnerability and determination, navigating relationships and choices against the backdrop of chaos.
Dionys Mascolo (Benjamin Biolay)
Dionys serves as a leader within the resistance network and is also Marguerite's lover, providing her with support during a harrowing time. He embodies the tension between personal and political commitments, navigating the challenges of leadership while sustaining his relationship with Marguerite during the war.
François Mitterrand (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet)
François, known by the alias François Morland, is a significant figure in the resistance whom Marguerite and her collaborators seek to protect. His prominence within the movement reflects the deeply entrenched networks of resistance fighters and the layered complexities of their shared goals during the war.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Memoir of War (2018), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
1944-1945
The film takes place during a critical period of World War II, from the summer of 1944 to the spring of 1945. This era is marked by intense conflict as the Allied forces approach Paris, leading to liberation and significant shifts in power. The timeline reflects the agonizing struggle faced by those in the resistance and the catastrophic impact of the war on personal lives.
Location
Paris, Dachau, Italy
The movie is primarily set in Paris during the summer of 1944, a city under the shadow of German occupation. Dachau, a notorious concentration camp in Germany, highlights the grim reality of wartime atrocities. After the war, Italy becomes a temporary refuge for the characters, signifying both escape and the complexity of their relationships.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Memoir of War (2018). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
💔
Love and Sacrifice
The theme of love intertwined with sacrifice is palpable throughout Marguerite Duras' journey. Her relationship with Robert is tested by war, betrayal, and moral dilemmas. Marguerite's interactions with the collaborator reveal the depths of her commitment to resistance and the painful choices she must face for love's sake.
⚔️
Resistance
In the backdrop of a war-torn Europe, the theme of resistance dominates the narrative. Marguerite and her associates exemplify bravery and determination against oppression. Their commitment to their cause challenges personal safety, illustrating the high stakes and moral complexities involved in their fight against the Nazis.
😔
Loss and Grief
Loss resonates profoundly within the film as Marguerite grapples with her husband's fate and the toll of war. The emotional struggle between hope and despair reflects the broader human experience during wartime, capturing how grief affects both individuals and relationships amid the chaos.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.